Monk strap or Penny loafer?

I'm still a student, just graduated secondary school (high school) in Europe, and I am going to get a new pair of shoes.

I would like to become fashionable, but still I need to think about building my basic wardrobe, so here's the question.

I already have a pair of classic black oxford, so this time it's either going to be a dark brown penny loafer or a dark brown monk double strap. I'm thinking of getting it from Meermin.

This shoe will be worn either with a suit (in casual occasions) or with casual clothes (even with shorts in the summer, without socks). So if it were you, which would you pick? Also, would suede be better, or would leather look better? I think suede will be hard to fit with a suit as well as to wear it without socks, so I'm leaning towards leather, but I'm open to other opinions and suggestions, so please share your wisdom with the newbie :)

Wearing penny loafers with a suit will get you slapped by the Styleforum police (we are global). With the monkstraps you may receive a brow beating, but if you move quickly, you'll live to see another day.
Welcome to Styleforum.

There is no one shoe that does everything well. I can't think of a single shoe that works well with a suit or with shorts. Really though, why would there be? These looks are at the extreme ends of the formality spectrum.

Well, it's an interesting question. My own list of shoes to wear with shorts is a short one and includes neither of your choices.

Having said that, obviously there are many pics on SF of guys pulling off penny's and shorts. But at the other end of the "loafer spectrum," the only suits I've seen paired with loafers to good effect are very casual/seasonal suits like linen, seersucker, etc.

So, given the two options, a penny loafer might technically qualify. But practically speaking, you are probably better off selecting your next two pair, buying one now and the other when funds allow.

Oh, whatever you do please avoid double monks. It's such an iGent cliche, and they look fussy. Someone once commented "leprechaun's shoes" (forget who), and the expression stuck with me.

A single monk has long been established as a classic in England (although again not to my taste).

As for loafers, one can certainly wear loafers with suits. In the real world this happens all the time (and not just by the Dilberts of this world, Prime Minister Cameron and President Bush for example often wear / wore loafers with suits). Tassled loafers with suits in an American classic. But starting off I'd aim to learn the rules before deciding which ones to break.

In your position, you're covered for suits with your oxfords. I'd consider looking at bluchers in mid-to-dark brown for maximum versatility, picking up a cheap loafer (Sebago) or boat shoe as well to cover off the shorts.

Do not wear loafers with a suit. Tasseled or otherwise. This is emphasised by the fact that if Cameron and Bush threw them on why would you?

Disagree. But only when you decide what rules you want to break.

Don't understand the throwaway remark re. Bush and Cameron. Whether you agree with their politics or not is not the point. These are serious people in serious roles in public life. For all the anxious handwringing and hot flushes over what is appropriate, sometimes SF needs a reality check about the minutiae over which you obsess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleav

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Double monks work superbly well and are in no way a cliche, Balfour says they look busy and they can do, fair enough. Done well, they look very good look

As you say, there are different perspectives on this. I would encourage anyone attracted to the double monk to consider a classic single monk as an alternative.

As you say, there are different perspectives on this. I would encourage anyone attracted to the double monk to consider a classic single monk as an alternative.

Fair enough.

Do not wear loafers or tassels with suits.

It's still my opinion Balfour. Without what you call a throwaway remark

I didn't introduce those characters you did. I am not the one obsessing here....

Are you putting those individuals up as style icons for anyone, SF or otherwise, to emulate?

Nonetheless, in my opinion do not wear loafers or tassels with suits. Ymmv.

Classic single monk? Sure, I have them, DM, I have them. Levels of formality or difference therein... I wear with suits. I understand the rules but also appreciate that I like to do what I want to do sometimes.